SC-LD LOKPAL 2

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PTI

November 23, 2016

UPDATED: November 23, 2016 18:45 IST

The bench after considering the argument of senior lawyer

The bench after considering the argument of senior lawyer Shanti Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause, that it should interpret the Act to recognise the leader of the largest opposition party in place of LoP as mandated, said, "Dont allow the Lokpal law to become a dead letter."

The bench, which fixed the matter for hearing on December 7, asked Rohatgi to take instructions and said it may consider passing an order to include the leader of the largest opposition party in the panel.

During an hour-long hearing, the court said that the requirement to have LoP in the selection panel can be dispensed with by replacing LoP with the leader of the largest opposition party.

It also said that there was an "urgent situation" and the institution like Lokpal should come up.

When Rohatgi said that the amendment Bill on the LoP issue is pending with Parlaiment, the bench said that the law cannot be frustrated by not amending the Act.

It also asked Rohatgi as to why the court cannot pass an order to include the leader of the largest opposition party in the selection committee.

On the other hand, Bhushan said that the Lokpal Act has been passed after a long struggle and the government is not doing anything.

"We dont have Lokpal even today, despite the Act being notified in 2014. Even jurist has not been appointed and the will of people is being frustrated. Do you require another Anna andolan?," he said.

He said that the apex court has to interpret the Lokpal Act to recognise the leader of the largest opposition party as the leader of opposition (LoP).

Rohatgi, referring to the present legal provisions, said the government is amending the Act to include the leader of largest opposition party in the selection committee for appointment of Lokpal.

"The amendment bill is pending in Parliament and it will take some time to get passed in Parliament. There cant be a protem situation in this case," he said.

To this, Bhushan said that it is a political trick to ensure that no Lokpal is appointed.

"There is a lack of political will. You can take my word. They will not pass this bill. The court should direct the first meeting of the committee to select the jurist," he said. (More) PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS SC

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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